Felix Bayaborda Legaspi, Jr.

Felix B. Legaspi, Jr. was born March 14, 1945 in Cavite, Philippines from the union of Felix Legaspi, Sr. and Macaria Bayaborda. He was more commonly known as Junior/Jun. As the middle child in a family of nine, Jun had 3 brothers (Abelardo, Alejandro, Felixberto) and 5 sisters (Matilde, Victoria, Estrella, Felicaria, Rosita). In their household, every kid had responsibilities/chores. Besides taking care of his younger siblings, his was cooking balut (duck egg) and raising little pigs to be later sold for the family to profit. As a young boy he loved to play chess/checkers, the harmonica, and loved his dog named Tiger, who was known to have never left his side. Growing up he enjoyed watching movies, boxing, and would occasionally use his allowance to buy his favorite snack: a bag of freshly, roasted peanuts.

Jun graduated from the Mapua Institute of Technology in Manila with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1969. From the encouragement and support of his brother Alejandro, he applied to immigrate to America. Being the first in the family to live in a foreign country, his mother sent him off with some pocket money, while his brother, Abelardo, made connections in California for a place to stay.

Jun eventually became an American citizen and enlisted in the United States Army. After several years of a long-distance courtship, Jun married the love of his life, Priscilla Salvador Olarte, on April 18, 1976 in her hometown of Dinalupihan, Bataan. Six months later she left the Philippines to join him in America. Jun and Priscilla were told that they could not have children due to her previous medical condition but the Lord had other plans. Filled with overwhelming joy of the unexpected blessing to be parents, they welcomed their daughter, Jennifer, into the world at their first military station in Fort Detrick, Maryland.

For 20 years, Jun worked as a Chemical Laboratory Specialist in several departments: The Biomaterials and Application Division, Environmental Protection and Research Division, and the U.S. Army Medical Bioengineering R&D Laboratory. He received the Army Commendation Medal for his significant technical contributions in the research efforts of synthetic sutures, tissue adhesives, and the development of advanced wastewater treatment technology for the Army’s environmental research program.

His military career would take the family to Stuttgart/Nuernberg, Germany; Fort Irwin, California; and finally, Colorado Springs, Colorado where he retired.

He celebrated the news of his family expanding when he welcomed son-in-law, Sal Alcaraz, in 2006.

Jun was a family man whose greatest joy was his grandsons, Ethan and Colton. He gladly spent his retirement years in making memories with them from painting pumpkins, decorating Christmas cookies/Easter eggs, to participating/supporting the kids in their school functions. For several years, he was grateful to be present for the important milestones in their life and watch them grow.

Jun was a respectful son, supportive brother, faithful husband, loving grandfather/father and will always be remembered as such. God granted him a long life and the family is so grateful to have celebrated his 80th birthday two days before he went home to be with the Lord.

Jun will be sadly missed, but very fondly remembered.

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